Alessandro Caruso Architects (ACA) has completed the refurbishment of the Phoenix High Dependency Rehabilitation Unit for Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.
The £1.5m project was delivered over seven months while parts of the unit remained in use, requiring careful planning to maintain safety and minimise disruption.
Contractor O&P Construction Services worked alongside ACA.
“ACA demonstrated a strong understanding of the complexities of delivering improvements within a live mental health environment, balancing therapeutic design principles with robust anti-ligature, safety and durability requirements,” said Robert Mitchell, Construction Director at O&P Construction Services.
The refurbishment upgraded the facility to provide a safe, therapeutic environment, incorporating anti-ligature features and meeting strict safety and durability standards.
The fully refurbished unit is now operational and receiving patients.
The clinical teams and service users have responded positively to the new layout, colour scheme, and functional use of space.
The designs were also described by clinical teams as practical in supporting a safe and recovery-focused environment.
Specifically, clinicians have highlighted the homely feel of the refurbished bedrooms and communal areas, which reflect the longer stays typical in HDRU care.
A growing portfolio of specialist healthcare projects
The Phoenix HDRU refurbishment builds on ACA’s track record of delivering specialist healthcare facilities, following projects in learning disability, mental health, and diagnostic services across the UK.
Last year, the firm designed a £20m community diagnostic centre in Scunthorpe, a project that has been recognised for enhancing access to essential diagnostic services.
ACA also previously submitted a planning application for a new learning disability centre and separately a diabetes centre in Hull.
The practice has been recognised as a pioneer in mental health design approaches, including work with Care UK on community‑based step‑down facilities.